MECHANICS' INSTITUTION. LAUNCESTON possesses at length a Me- chanics' Institution. Its internal regula- tion is now finally settled, and its officers appointed by the parties who alone are en- titled to choose them. The meeting of Tuesday passed off undisturbed. The lit- tle spirits who distribute their petulant quibbling, and display their mortified va- nity in the columns of newspapers, were either absent or invisible. The members have pursued their object with unanimity, prudence, and zeal. They have not been alarmed by that race " who give liking to nothing but what is framed by themselves, and hammered on their own anvil." The institute now rests on a solid foundation : but as the design was drawn by men iden- tified with the mechanics, so by the same hands and the same assistance, the super- structure will rise. The mechanics of Launceston are not tainted with the pride that spurns ; but they are incapable of the meanness which implores the smile of the ranks above them : they...

PORT PHILLIP. By the steam-ship Corsair journals to 7th instant have reached us. A petition for a municipal corporation for Melbourne was agreed to at a meeting held on the 20th ultimo.—A public dinner, and some more lasting testinmonial, are to be given to the gentlemen who captured the four bushrangers. An inquest had been held on the body of the one shot; verdict, "justifiable homicide." Other parties of bushrangers were still abroad; five were reported as taken near Geelong.—The overcrowded state of the gaol was a subject of general complaint.—Burglaries and swin dling were of painfully frequent occurrence. —On the 2nd May the three captured bushrangers were fully committed to take their trials for highway robbery and shoot ing at with intent to kill.—It was proposed to form a troop of yeomanry for the pro tection of the settlers, in case of further disturbance from bushrangers. THE MECHANICS' INSTITUTION.—The com- mittee of this body are now in possession of funds for the compl...

COLONIAL MARKETS. &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; The latest authentic information as to the state of the markets in this and the neighbouring colo- nies will be impartially furnished, and our quota- tions only drawn from such sources as can be depended on.

EX "SOCRATES" AND " RICHARD MOUNT." " LONDON HOUSE, CHIARLES-STREET. — The undersigned have received by the above vessels, their first supply of WINTER GOODS which are now unpacking, &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; and will be sold at reduced prices : among which, are — Ladies' silk cloaks of the latest fashion Ditto opera and carriage ditto Three cases ladies' superior velvet and silk bonnets, of the newest style and various colours Two ditto maids' ditto ditto ditto Two ditto ladies' French blonde caps One ditto chenie silk for ladies' dresses Two ditto rich winter flowers One ditto black lace gloves and mitts, embroidered One ditto fancy Thibet and cashmere shawls and turn-overs Four ditto Orleans cloth, splendid material One ditto Victoria cashmere, a new article for ladies' dresses &amp;nbsp; Four ditto youths' superior silk velvet caps Two ditto Count de Paris boys' black and white beaver hats, with tassels Two ditto superior squirrel, ermine, and sable tippets and boas Chil...

SHIPPING. &amp;nbsp; FOR LONDON. — The well-known first-class and fast-sailing ship HENRY, 420 tons, William Walmesly, commander, having the great part of her cargo engaged, will meet with quick des- patch. For freight or passage, having su- perior accommodations, apply to EDDIE &amp; Co. March 8, 1842. FOR LONDON — With all des- patch. — The splendid new British- built ship AGOSTINA, A 1, burthen 400 tons, W. Perry, commander. The sail- ing qualities of this vessel are well-known. The greater part of her cargo is engaged ; and as she takes no oil, it renders her very desirable for a wool cargo. For terms of freight or passage, having superior accommodations, apply to Henty and Co., Connolly and Co., or J. DOWN &amp; CO. March 8, 1842, FOR ADELAIDE. — The well known schooner CHALLENGER, daily expected, will return to the above port immediately. For freight or passage, apply to CONNOLLY &amp; CO. May 6, 1842. FOR PORTLAND BAY. — The fine, fast-sailing A 1 schooner MIN...

TO BE SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION, By Mr. J. C. Underwood, At Britton Jones' yards, Franklin Village, on FRIDAY, 27th instant, at 12 o'clock, FOUR CART COLTS, rising 3 years old &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; One cart horse, five years old Twenty head of steers and heifers, two and three years old. TERMS : — All sums under £25, cash ; £25 to £50, three months ; £50 to £100, three and four months' credit on approved ac- cepted bills. Sale at Campbell Town, 23rd instant. Milch Cows, Steers, Fat Bullocks, Carriage Horses, &amp;c., &amp;c. TO BE SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION, By Mr. George Eddie, On MONDAY, the 23rd instant, imme- diately after the sale of household furni- ture, &amp;c., already advertised, FORTY HEAD OF CATTLE, consist- &amp;nbsp; ing of — Ten pair steers, well adapted for the yoke Twelve fat bullocks, in prime condition Several well-bred milch cows. ALSO, A pair of first-rate carriage horses, and a well-bred horse, fit for saddle or harness. TERMS: — Under £20, cas...

SYDNEY. During the week the greatest tranquility has prevailed in the commercial markets, and business has been limited, arising from the inclement state of the weather ; the alterations have been but few. TEA has declined, and may now be quoted at £6 per chest, without any large sales being effectec. SUGAR. — The cargo ex Caroline, has changed hands, but the figure has not transpired ; the holders of the cargo ex Fair Barbadian are ask- ing £55 per ton. The lowest figure at which this article is now to be purchased is £30. In other articles there is no alteration. WHEAT. — This market has been without any supplies from the country during the week. Price — 5s. 6d. to 6s. 6d. per bushel. FLOUR. — The business done in this market has been but small, in conscquence of the inclemency of the weather. The mills quote as formerly ; namely — Fine, 20s. to 21s. ; seconds, 17s. to 18s. ; ration, 15s. to 16s. per 100 Ibs. ; bran, 1s. 6d. to 1s. 10d. per bushel ; No. 1 biscuit, 26s. ; No. 2 dit...

MISCELLANY. Prince Albert has become a British far- mcr, as the valuable stock and crops on the Norfolk and Flemish farms, Windsor Great Park, which were in the occupation of His Majesty King William IV., have been valued to his Royal Highness from the crown by Mr. John Braithwaite, of Cob- &amp;nbsp; ham, by order of Her Majesty's commis- sioners. SINGULAR COINCIDENCE. — A few days ago, while the Messrs. Thorburn were un- packing a chest of orange pekoe tea, im- ported in one of the late arrivals from China, they discovered between the lead lining and bottom of the box, a copy of the Edinburgh Caledonian Mercury, dated September 22, 1796, (exactly 45 years ago) containing a letter of the senior Mr. Thor- burn, the venerable partner of the firm, regarding the tea trade of that period. The chcst was packed 1,500 miles above Canton, where the newspaper, which is in excellent preservation, must have been in ; and no explanation is given to remove the mystery how it has been preserv...

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LAUNCESTON EXAMINER. Sin.-Can you Inform me what Is the number of the population of Van Diomen's Land; and, also, the quantity of land cultivated throtigltout the isanit( l )r grati. The goverunient, I believe, send rou:i annually for the purpose of ascertain ing these particulars, ENQURttER., [WVe believe no statistical returns have been published since 1830. The tables in our possession include the years 182.1 to 1839. In December, 1838, there were 20,055 free inhabitants, 18,133 prisoners, 1,570 military, (including their wives and children) and 82 aborigines, making a grand total of 15,810 inhabitants. At the same period, 108,000 acres were under cultivation. We trust the governmnent will, at an early period, give pub licity to the results obtained during the years 1830, 1840, and 18.11.-En. L. E.]

CORONER'S INQUEST. AN INQUEST was hold on Saturday last, the 14th instant, before P. A. Mulgrave, Esq., at the Gol den LIon in William-street, on view of the body of John Ryan, a brickmaker, about thirty-two years of age, who died suddenly on the morning of the same day. James Powell examined-I first saw the de ceased at Thomas Skinner's house on Thursday last; he said he had been making bricks in the country, and complained of being troubled with rhenmatic pains ; lie dined with Skinner's family, and took Ilus tea and supper about six o'clock; lie appeared to cat heartily ; lie slept In the same bed with me; we went to bed together; lie was then quite sober; when I awoke on Friday morn ing, soon after daylight, the deceased was out; I next saw inm himi at breakfiust-time; lie soon afterwards complained of rheumatic pains, and at his request I rubbed some brandy and salt over his back; lie dined and supped with the famnily oa Friday, and appeared as well as lie did oai Thurs day; ie...

FOR HOBART TOWN.-The schooner PRINCE OF DEN MARK, Cummins, master, daily expected, will return to the above port sinmediately. For freight, apply to CoNNoLLY &amp; Co. May 18. FOR SYDNEY.-The packet-brig WILLIAM, Le Grand, conm inandler, will sail for the above port posi tively on Wednesday next. For freight or passage, apply to JouN GRIFnITiIs. May 18. TO BE SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION, By Mr. B. Francis, At his rooms, on TUESDAY, 23rd May, to close accounts, SEVENTY-THREE pieces bandanas One case superfine dress and great coats Ten pairs worsted-cord trowsers One case handsome shawls TERius-Under £25, cash; above that sum, an approved endorsed bill at three months. TO BE SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION, By Mr. B. Prancis, At his rooms, on MONDAY, the 28rd of May, at one o'clock, 1 TEN sets BULLOCK HARNESS Two ditto cart ditto One blacksmith's bellows One ditto anvil And a lot of blacksmith's tools Four kegssuperior tobacco, out of bond One ton Liverpool soap Six cans turpentine One pipe Mad...

NEW ZEALAND. That Auckland will continue to prosper, no rational doubt can be entertained. Ac counts recently received warrant us in an ticipating the arrival of ships with immi grants and goods direct from the mother country, almost immediately. Arrange ments, we know, have been entered into by enterprising settlers to procure machinery for the establishments of saw-mills, and for dressing the native flax for exportation. Several extensive brick-making establish ments are already in operation, and prepara tions are being made for the commence ment of others. Within ashortdistance of the capital, it is now ascertained, there are extensive beds of coal, in convenient situa tions for shipment, which can be won and worked with but little difficulty. Springs of the purest water are found in most parts of Auckland at a few feet from the surahee, and even in the most elevated situations by boring twenty or thirty feet. The Tlumes and tte streams that flow into it, abound with the finest f...